How to Pursue a Master's Degree with a 3 Year Bachelor's Degree

Are you a student with a three-year degree who is interested in pursuing a master's degree in the United States? If so, you may be wondering about the eligibility criteria for admission. In this article, we will address some important points to keep in mind if you are considering pursuing a master's degree in the United States with a three-year degree.

In the US, most bachelor's degree programs are four years long. Therefore, universities typically require students to have completed 12+4 years of education (i.e., schooling plus a four-year bachelor's degree) to be eligible for admission to a master's program. However, in addition to four-year degrees, there are also three-year degrees such as B.com, BSc, and BBA. Students who complete these degrees can finish their education in just 15 years.

Despite the availability of three-year degrees, some US universities may not recognize them. However, many universities have come to understand that three-year degrees are a valid option, and some even accept them for admission to master's programs. In such cases, the admission committees of these universities may not be concerned with the duration of the degree if the applicant meets the academic level equivalent to a US bachelor's degree.

To evaluate the equivalence of a three-year degree to a four-year US degree, some universities may require students to have their degrees evaluated by an organization called the World Education Services (WES). The WES evaluates the student's degree based on their course, curriculum, and college and provides a report stating whether the degree is equivalent to a US four-year degree. Some universities may only require 16 (12+4) years of education to be eligible for admission to a master's program.

Before applying to a university, it's essential to check whether they accept three-year degrees or if they require the degree to be evaluated by WES. If you can't find the information on the university's website, you can contact the graduate school directly for clarification.

It's important to note that with a three-year degree, your options may be limited. Not all universities accept the Duolingo scores for the English proficiency test, and some may not accept TOEFL scores. However, all universities accept the IELTS score. Therefore, we recommend taking the IELTS and GRE (if possible) to increase your chances of admission.

If the university you want to attend only requires 16 years of education, you can also consider completing a Post Graduation Diploma (PGD) after your bachelor's degree. A one-year PGD in India can satisfy the 16-year education requirement. If you take a PGD course related to your desired master's degree, you increase your chances of admission and even become eligible for scholarships.

While researching for this article, we found some universities that accept 15-year education. The sources are available in the description, and we recommend checking the comments for additional suggestions.

In conclusion, pursuing a master's degree in the US with a three-year degree is possible, but it's essential to understand the admission requirements of each university. Keep in mind the recommendations provided in this article and do your research before applying. Good luck!